“Legally Blonde” rises and falls on the strength of its Elle Woods, the vapid-seeming fashionista who applies to Harvard Law School in a bid to reclaim her beau.

The boyfriend sees law school as a time to get serious about everything, including the woman on his arm. And Elle is more of a Marilyn than a Jackie, he tells her — in short, not nearly serious enough. Elle, who had been expecting a proposal instead of a dumping, sets out to initially become the woman the guy says he wants, starting with joining him at Harvard; just as it did in the 2001 movie on which the musical is based, a “to thine ownself be true” message wins out.

In the Woodlawn Theatre staging — directed by Josh Harris on behalf of the space's new regime — Elle is in the hands of Kate Miller, a vivacious performer who's an absolute charmer in the part. There's a sweetness to her portrayal, as well as a shrewdness, and she handles both the music and the choreography skillfully.

Miller is ably supported by Mark McCarver, in an appealing turn as a teaching assistant who becomes Elle's ally and eventual love interest; and by Alyson Miller, who's a lot of fun to watch as Paulette, a lovelorn hairdresser who becomes good friends with Elle, who gives her the skills and the confidence to win the attention of a buff UPS guy (Kurt Wehner, who owns the theater with his wife, Sherry Wehner).

Alas, there were some sound problems at last week's opening performance, meaning that some lyrics and a few lines weren't audible. Here's hoping those problems have since been solved.

That aside, the lively show kicks things off for the Woodlawn's new ownership and management team on a promising note.

“Legally Blonde” can be seen at 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through April 29 at the Woodlawn Theatre, 1920 Fredericksburg Road. Tickets: $15 to $22. Call 210-701-3222 or visit woodlawntheatre.com to buy tickets.